54 min listen
E65: Michael Watts on Melody Maker + Swamp Dogg + Cramps audio
FromRock's Backpages
ratings:
Length:
64 minutes
Released:
Mar 9, 2020
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
In this week's episode, Mark & Barney are joined by a not-so-"Anonymous" Michael Watts, who regales his hosts with tales of life as the Walsall Observer's "Mick" Watts before reminiscing about his halcyon days as one of Melody Maker's star '70s scribes.Watts waxes poetic – not to mention humorous – about his encounters with David Bowie, Bob Dylan, the Sex Pistols and others, and about the Maker's rivalry with the N(ew) M(usical) E(xpress). Mark & Barney grill him on the MM's response to punk and hear about colleagues such as Richard Williams and Caroline Coon.After a brief discussion of the week's featured artist, hilarious country-soul eccentric Swamp Dogg, the trio hear the first of two clips from Martin Aston's 1986 audio interview with Lux Interior and Poison Ivy Rorschach, prompting conversation about the Cramps' inspired mash-up of '50s psychobilly and sub-Hollywood horror – and, 11 years after Lux's death, the band's unique place in post-punk rock'n'roll.Finally, as Mark presents his highlights of RBP's new library additions, Barney & Michael pitch in with asides on Lou Reed, Talking Heads… and Michael's Chiswick neighbour Sophie Ellis-Bextor!Many thanks to special guest Michael Watts; for more of his writing, please visit his writer's page.Pieces discussed: Sex Pistols, David Bowie, Grateful Dead, Swamp Dogg, Swamp Dogger, and Swamp Doggest, Cramps audio, Sam Cooke, Beach Boy Bruce Johnston, Lou Reed, Talking Heads, Tiffany, Giorgio Moroder, Mark E. Smith and theaudience/Sophie Ellis Bextor.Part of Pantheon Podcasts.
Released:
Mar 9, 2020
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
E19: Morrissey + Minnie Riperton + Madonna with James Medd: Joined by RBP contributor James Medd, Barney Hoskyns and Mark Pringle hear tales of interviewing Morrissey and Joanna Newsom for Esquire and of life at The Word. Paying tribute to drummer Hal Blaine, one of the great American session players, the trio discuss L.A.'s legendary Wrecking Crew and marvel at just how many hits they played on. Talk then moves on to the week’s free feature, Lambchop, via another great session player, Charlie McCoy – a stellar guest on their forthcoming album. James, Mark and Barney hear an excerpt from an audio interview with the late great Minnie Riperton and discuss her "whistle register" and cancer activism. Mark then presents his selection of choice cuts from the week's new library pieces, including articles on Rolf Harris, the Osmonds, Johnny Nash, Scritti Politti, Carl Wilson and the Talking Heads film Stop Making Sense. The show this week winds up with some thoughts on Madonna, sparked by a 7 by Rock's Backpages